New York Jets Player of the Day: QB Richard Todd

In this series, we’ll be highlighting a different player from the New York Jets’ storied past. Today, we take a look at quarterback Richard Todd.

The Jets didn’t have the most success in the win column with Richard Todd under center, but that didn’t stop him from being one of the most productive passers in franchise history.

The No. 6 overall pick in the 1976 NFL draft out of Alabama, Todd struggled mightily early on in his pro career, throwing just three touchdown passes to 12 interceptions over six starts as a rookie. Things didn’t get much better over the next four seasons, as Todd threw more interceptions than touchdowns each year, including a league-high 30 picks in 1980.

But Todd turned a corner the following season, tossing a career-best 25 touchdown passes to just 13 interceptions, leading the Jets to a 10-5-1 record, the best mark of his career as a starter.

Though he was limited to just nine games the next year, Todd kept a good thing going by throwing 14 touchdown passes and just eight interceptions. But after that season, he would return to his turnover-prone ways for the rest of his career.

Todd would finish his career with the New Orleans Saints, making 17 starts over his final two seasons in the league.

In all, Todd spent eight of his 10 NFL seasons with the Gang Green, and despite his penchant for throwing the ball to the other team, he finished his Jets tenure with 18,241 career passing yards and 110 touchdown passes. Both marks rank third in franchise history, trailing only Joe Namath and Ken O’Brien.

What’s your favorite Richard Todd memory? Share your story in the comment section!